The University Senate of Michigan Technological University
Proposal 44-21
I. Background
(Voting Units: Academic)
“Reduction of courses at 3000-level or higher in minor programs from 9 to 6”
Minors in Degree Programs at Michigan Tech are currently governed by Proposal 42-15 which amended by replacement all previous proposals governing minors.
The requirement of minors to have 9 credits of 3000-level or higher courses sometimes results in inflation of course level numbers in departments. This inflation is seen by the low number of courses at the 1000-level across many departments in the university. It is not unusual for foundational courses that would be listed at the 1000 or 2000-level at other institutions to be listed at the 2000 or 3000-level at Michigan Tech. Reducing the number of credits required at the 3000-level or higher for minor programs would allow for a recalibration of course levels and for a greater ability to show pre-requisite structures in course levels at the university.
This proposal differs from current policy in the following points:
1.The requirement for 3000-level or higher courses is reduced from 9 to 6 credit hours
by design of the minor.
2.Decrease from 9 to 6 the number of 3000-level or higher minor-required courses that
must be completed at Michigan Tech.
II.Changes to Catalog Copy
The purpose of a Minor in Degree Program is to officially recognize a student who successfully completes a prescribed set of courses in a discipline outside their major. To receive a minor, students must be currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at Michigan Tech, have indicated that they are pursuing the minor by submitting a Curriculum Add/Drop form, and have completed all requirements for the minor. The award will be noted on the official transcript.
A student must add a minor to their record no later than the time when the student submits her/his application for graduation. A student cannot be awarded a minor that has the same title as their major or major concentration. No credits may be double counted between minors or between minors and certificates. In addition to meeting the requirements of the minor as specified by the academic unit offering the minor, a student must:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for courses completed as part of the minor.
- Complete at least 6 credit hours of the 3000-level or higher minor-required courses at Michigan Tech (residency requirement for a minor). Courses that meet the “at Michigan Tech” requirement are defined as courses listed in the course catalog and taught by a Michigan Tech instructor either on campus, at field locations, or through distance learning.
Structure of Minors in Degree Programs
Minors may be proposed by any department, school, or multidisciplinary program recognized by the University. The specifics of each Minor are determined by the faculty within the unit offering the minor. Independent study, project, research, and pass/fail courses may be used in Minors as appropriate. Minors may be designed for students majoring within the initiating academic unit, for students majoring in other academic units, or both. Units offering a minor may specify major degree programs that are ineligible for the minor. Units may not build major degree programs requiring the completion of any minor.
To assist students in making decisions about Minors, prerequisite courses must be either included in the Minor program, or listed as a footnote in the proposal to establish a minor. Prerequisites listed as a footnote need not have their credits counted in the Minor total. (Tracks, or focus areas, are not allowed in minors with the exception of the three minors with tracks that currently exist (Biological Sciences, Music, and Polymer Science and Engineering.)
All Minor programs must be designed such that students will meet the following requirements:
- Complete a minimum of 18 semester credits.
- Complete a minimum of 6 semester credits of 3000-level or higher courses.
Governing policy on Minors in Degree Programs
This proposal amends Senate Proposal 42-15 on Minors in Degree Programs.
III. Effective Date
This will become effective at the beginning of the Fall 2021 semester.
April 7, 2021